I started to collect pennies again yesterday.Years ago, I preached a sermon about pennies. It seemed to me pennies were a good metaphor for many, if not most, of the people around us each day. Like a penny on the sidewalk, most people are ignored. They don't matter much. In the eyes of the world, they aren't even worth bending over to pick up; who knows where those dirty pennies on the ground might have been. Even a handful of them won't buy a candy bar these days. Most convenience stores give pennies away in a cup just to make counting change easier. So who really cares about pennies?
I believe we're supposed to. I believe Jesus taught us to value each one. While it may not appear so at first blush, the pennies around us each day are actually wonderful agents of power and surprise in our lives. And so when I preached on the pennies years ago, I encouraged my people to start intentionally picking up each penny they find on the sidewalk around them. Use those insignificant moments as an opportunity for prayer and reflection on the importance of the small and humble people and things around us.
Perhaps it is the pennies through whom most of our surprises are supposed to come. And even if it isn't, if I'm noticing the pennies, then I'm certainly also going to be more ready to notice bigger things too. I might even find a few quarters of surprise along the way.
LORD, help me notice the pennies of surprise today!
Amen.
